Justification:
This is a widespread species that is characterized as common throughout its geographic range (Smith et al. 1990). There are concerns over the Japanese subspecies Ochotona hyperborea yesoensis, due to development activities, fragmentation, and global warming.

Ochotona hyperborea has the largest geographic range of any pika. It extends from the Ural Mountains across northeastern Eurasia to Sakhalin, and Hokkaido (where it is an endemic subspecies Ochotona hyperborea yesoensis) (Ichikawa 1999). This species is also found on several islands in the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk (Smith et al. 1990). On Japan, found from sea level to 2,000 m, but usually above 800 m.

Ochotona hyperborea primarily inhabits "the montane taiga of boreal Asia" (Smith et al. 1990). This species of pika is primarily a rock-dweller (Smith et al. 1990). However, it is known to utilize driftwood mounds that collect along riverbanks (Ognev 1966). Population densities remain relatively constant over time, but total density will vary according to location (Smith et al. 1990). A study of seven pairs of O. hyperborea found an average territory size of approximately 900 square meters (Gliwicz et al. 2005). O. hyperborea constructs large haypiles that are often fed on by other fauna within its range (Smith et al. 1990). One study conducted in Siberia found evidence that O. hyperborea is selective in choosing plants for their haypiles, preferring those that had high secondary compound content (i.e. tannins and secondary metabolites) (Gliwicz et al. 2006). This species was recorded as active day and night in the Ural Mountains (Ognev 1966). One study has proposed that longevity for this species rarely exceeds three years (Gashev 1971). The breeding season begins in the spring (Revin 1968). There are generally one to two litters produced each year (Revin 1968), but there are numerous exceptions to these values (Smith et al. 1990). Typical litter size ranges from one to nine young (Smith et al. 1990). Gestation for this species lasts 28 days (Gashev 1971; Sokolov et al. 1994). Reproductive periodicity varies according to region, but will typically begin in April (sometimes May) and extend through August (Sokolov et al. 1994). Newborns are 5.0-6.0 cm in length (Sokolov et al. 1994). The total length of O. hyperborea is 15.0-20.4 cm (Smith and Xie 2008).

There are no known threats for Ochotona hyperborea throughout the majority of its range (Smith et al. 1990). This species was targeted for its pelt, but this activity ceased in the 1950's (Smith et al. 1990). O. h. yesoensis on Hokkaido Island was formerly considered a pest species and was the subject of control efforts (Smith et al. 1990). The isolated population in the Yubari-Ashibetsu Mountains appears vulnerable due to increasing development (Ichikawa 1999).

There are no known conservation measures in place for this species throughout most of its range. The Hokkaido subspecies is protected in national parks (Ichikawa 1999). In China, this species occurs in Liangshui Nature Reserve (CSIS 2008). In Mongolia, approximately 40% of the species' distribution occurs in protected areas (Clark et al. 2006). At present, the newly recognized species of Ochotona mantchurica (formerly O. hyperborea mantchurica) is not treated individually for this reassessment of Ochotonids. However, this is a species that requires research to determine its current status (Lissovsky pers. comm.). This species has been regionally Red Listed as Least Concern in Mongolia (Clark et al. 2006). In China, this species has been regionally Red Listed as Least Concern (Wang and Xie 2004).